New Training Program Prepares the Next Generation of Marine Professionals in Canada’s North
Canada’s marine sector faces a critical need for skilled professionals, and the Western Arctic Marine Training Center (WAMTC) is the newest among a growing number of institutions and programs stepping up to meet this demand. Established in 2023, this not-for-profit organization has quickly become a cornerstone of marine education in the Northwest Territories, offering a range of programs and certifications that equip students with the skills needed for a rewarding future in Canada’s evolving Arctic waters. All WAMTC training opportunities are fully funded for Indigenous Peoples, women, and Northerners.
The marine sector in the North is essential for delivering goods and food to remote communities, supporting resupply and resource development along a coastline that stretches 162,000 km. The industry also plays a crucial role in safeguarding maritime safety, security, and Canada’s interests in the Arctic—a region of growing strategic importance. By cultivating skilled mariners, WAMTC is helping to build a workforce equipped to serve this breathtaking and vital part of the country.
The marine sector in the North is essential for delivering goods and food to remote communities, supporting resupply and resource development along a coastline that stretches 162,000 km. The industry also plays a crucial role in safeguarding maritime safety, security, and Canada’s interests in the Arctic—a region of growing strategic importance. By cultivating skilled mariners, WAMTC is helping to build a workforce equipped to serve this breathtaking and vital part of the country.
BWR students onsite in Vancouver for MED training
Bridge Watch Rating (BWR): Fully-funded Opportunities Through the Oceans Protection Plan
At the heart of WAMTC's offerings is its comprehensive and fully funded Bridge Watch Rating (BWR) program, which is supported by Transport Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan and offered in collaboration with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The BWR program is a 16-week course that takes place twice a year and has been designed to equip aspiring deckhands with essential skills, training, and certifications necessary to launch successful careers in the marine sector.
The BWR course is the ideal starting point for building a career in the maritime industry. Deckhands play a vital role in assisting with the safe navigation of vessels, monitoring safety and security on board, and carrying out essential shipboard tasks under the guidance of an officer.
Deckhands have the opportunity to work aboard a wide variety of marine vessels, including cargo vessels, tankers, icebreakers, tugs, barges, cruise ships, and ferries. Beyond traditional deckhand roles, career paths exist in specialized areas such as coastal ecosystem protection, incident prevention and response, ice navigation, marine monitoring and guardianship, and tourism.
Salaries in the maritime industry are highly competitive, with entry-level deckhands and stewards typically starting at around $60,000 per year. More senior positions, such as marine engineers and captains, can command upwards of $100,000 per year, with potential for much higher earnings.
At the heart of WAMTC's offerings is its comprehensive and fully funded Bridge Watch Rating (BWR) program, which is supported by Transport Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan and offered in collaboration with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The BWR program is a 16-week course that takes place twice a year and has been designed to equip aspiring deckhands with essential skills, training, and certifications necessary to launch successful careers in the marine sector.
The BWR course is the ideal starting point for building a career in the maritime industry. Deckhands play a vital role in assisting with the safe navigation of vessels, monitoring safety and security on board, and carrying out essential shipboard tasks under the guidance of an officer.
Deckhands have the opportunity to work aboard a wide variety of marine vessels, including cargo vessels, tankers, icebreakers, tugs, barges, cruise ships, and ferries. Beyond traditional deckhand roles, career paths exist in specialized areas such as coastal ecosystem protection, incident prevention and response, ice navigation, marine monitoring and guardianship, and tourism.
Salaries in the maritime industry are highly competitive, with entry-level deckhands and stewards typically starting at around $60,000 per year. More senior positions, such as marine engineers and captains, can command upwards of $100,000 per year, with potential for much higher earnings.
The funding covers nearly every aspect of the program, including tuition, books, equipment, accommodations, travel, and food allowances—an investment of approximately $45,000 per student, with no cost to the trainees. This funding ensures that every student has full access to the full comprehensive curriculum.
Based primarily at WAMTC’s Hay River, NWT campus— with some local training options when possible— the program was made possible by Transport Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan (OPP), which provides critical financial support to Indigenous Peoples, women, and Northerners. The BWR funding covers nearly every aspect of the program, including tuition, books, equipment, PPE, accommodations, travel, food, and training allowances —an investment of approximately $45,000 per student, with no cost to the trainees. This funding ensures that every student has full access to the full comprehensive curriculum.
Hands on learning at the Hay River campus
How the Bridgewatch Training Program Works
The BWR program covers an array of essential training modules, including:
The BWR certification is typically achieved after six months of sea time. However, the program’s structure allows students to receive a remission of four months, meaning they need only two months of sea experience to qualify for full certification.
“WAMTC’s mission is to deliver introductory and advanced seafarer training to Northern residents, with a focus on indigenous participation. Our short marine courses focus on practical competence and safety. Our longer programs can lead to higher income and improved economic stability for graduates and their communities,” explains John Vandenberg, WAMTC’s Executive Director “Our experienced professional mariner instructors prepare students for employment by making the training experience like a working environment, to help them understand the expectations and conditions that they will find on board a working vessel.”
Intensive Training for Current Bridge Watch Rating Students
In Vancouver, the WAMTC is currently guiding its second cohort of Bridge Watch Rating (BWR) students through an intensive three-week journey as they complete their Marine Emergency Duties (MED) courses. This cohort, consisting of seven men (five of whom are Indigenous) and two women (one of whom is Indigenous), is currently taking on the rigorous Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses, including Basic Safety Training (BST) and Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC). Hosted at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), this hands-on instruction includes learning essential safety skills such as firefighting, a component that has been met with enthusiasm from the group, and training in cold water survival, lifeboat deployment, and at-sea rescue.
Graduation for this cohort is set for December 18, 2024, marking a milestone in each student’s journey toward becoming certified mariners.
WAMTC Graduates' Path to Employment
WAMTC’s BWR program has quickly become a point of pride for both students and instructors. The organization’s first graduating cohort in April 2024 was celebrated with an impressive ceremony attended by Northwest Territories Premier, government ministers, and members of the community. Of the five graduates in this cohort, four have already secured positions within the Canadian Coast Guard, Desgagnés, and BC Ferries, while one is considering additional training at WAMTC’s Hay River campus.
The upcoming December graduation is set to mirror this success, as WAMTC continues to support underrepresented groups in pursuing rewarding careers in the marine sector. Each graduate’s achievements reflects the program’s dedication to fostering the next generation of marine professionals.
“We don’t consider our job done until each program graduate is placed with a marine employer and gets a start in an industry that can offer both lucrative and exciting lifetime careers,” says John Vandenberg.
Bringing Maritime Training to Remote Communities
In addition to its flagship BWR program, WAMTC also offers short courses, such as SVOP (for those who plan to operate small commercial vessels under five gross tons, particularly in sheltered waters or near coastal areas) and ROC-MC (a crucial certification for anyone operating VHF radios on commercial vessels) in remote communities throughout the North.
WAMTC is also preparing to launch additional training programs, including Watchkeeping Mate – Near Coastal (WKM-NC) and Fishing Master IV, to further expand maritime education opportunities for Northerners. As it continues its dedication to serving all corners of the Northwest Territories, the organization’s upcoming third BWR cohort will begin in Inuvik, NT, in January 2025, and has already received enough applications to nearly fill two cohorts. Notably, many applicants for this cohort are women, which is a significant development in a region where traditional family roles often shape career decisions. Efforts to recruit more women remains an important priority for the marine sector as a whole across Canada.
Located approximately 3,000 km northwest of WAMTC's main facility in Hay River, Inuvik presents unique challenges for program delivery. Inuvik experiences 24-hour darkness during winter months and temperatures often dip below minus 50 degrees Celsius. These environmental conditions can be daunting for individuals who are not accustomed to such harsh climates. Moreover, logistical hurdles include transporting equipment and personnel (travel costs remain significant barriers to those living in and visiting the North) as well as managing the high costs associated with living in such an isolated area. Internet connectivity can also be unreliable— an issue that can complicate communication and learning processes.
Despite these hurdles, the demand for training in the North is strong, as reflected in high enrollment rates, and WAMTC is committed to overcoming these obstacles as it continues to provide high-quality training.
The BWR program covers an array of essential training modules, including:
- Bridge Watch Rating (BWR)
- Small Domestic Vessel - Basic Safety (SDV-BS)
- Marine Basic First Aid (MBFA)
- Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)
- Radio Operator's Certificate – Marine Commercial (ROC-MC)
- Basic Safety Training (BST)
- Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC)
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS)
The BWR certification is typically achieved after six months of sea time. However, the program’s structure allows students to receive a remission of four months, meaning they need only two months of sea experience to qualify for full certification.
“WAMTC’s mission is to deliver introductory and advanced seafarer training to Northern residents, with a focus on indigenous participation. Our short marine courses focus on practical competence and safety. Our longer programs can lead to higher income and improved economic stability for graduates and their communities,” explains John Vandenberg, WAMTC’s Executive Director “Our experienced professional mariner instructors prepare students for employment by making the training experience like a working environment, to help them understand the expectations and conditions that they will find on board a working vessel.”
Intensive Training for Current Bridge Watch Rating Students
In Vancouver, the WAMTC is currently guiding its second cohort of Bridge Watch Rating (BWR) students through an intensive three-week journey as they complete their Marine Emergency Duties (MED) courses. This cohort, consisting of seven men (five of whom are Indigenous) and two women (one of whom is Indigenous), is currently taking on the rigorous Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses, including Basic Safety Training (BST) and Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC). Hosted at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), this hands-on instruction includes learning essential safety skills such as firefighting, a component that has been met with enthusiasm from the group, and training in cold water survival, lifeboat deployment, and at-sea rescue.
Graduation for this cohort is set for December 18, 2024, marking a milestone in each student’s journey toward becoming certified mariners.
WAMTC Graduates' Path to Employment
WAMTC’s BWR program has quickly become a point of pride for both students and instructors. The organization’s first graduating cohort in April 2024 was celebrated with an impressive ceremony attended by Northwest Territories Premier, government ministers, and members of the community. Of the five graduates in this cohort, four have already secured positions within the Canadian Coast Guard, Desgagnés, and BC Ferries, while one is considering additional training at WAMTC’s Hay River campus.
The upcoming December graduation is set to mirror this success, as WAMTC continues to support underrepresented groups in pursuing rewarding careers in the marine sector. Each graduate’s achievements reflects the program’s dedication to fostering the next generation of marine professionals.
“We don’t consider our job done until each program graduate is placed with a marine employer and gets a start in an industry that can offer both lucrative and exciting lifetime careers,” says John Vandenberg.
Bringing Maritime Training to Remote Communities
In addition to its flagship BWR program, WAMTC also offers short courses, such as SVOP (for those who plan to operate small commercial vessels under five gross tons, particularly in sheltered waters or near coastal areas) and ROC-MC (a crucial certification for anyone operating VHF radios on commercial vessels) in remote communities throughout the North.
WAMTC is also preparing to launch additional training programs, including Watchkeeping Mate – Near Coastal (WKM-NC) and Fishing Master IV, to further expand maritime education opportunities for Northerners. As it continues its dedication to serving all corners of the Northwest Territories, the organization’s upcoming third BWR cohort will begin in Inuvik, NT, in January 2025, and has already received enough applications to nearly fill two cohorts. Notably, many applicants for this cohort are women, which is a significant development in a region where traditional family roles often shape career decisions. Efforts to recruit more women remains an important priority for the marine sector as a whole across Canada.
Located approximately 3,000 km northwest of WAMTC's main facility in Hay River, Inuvik presents unique challenges for program delivery. Inuvik experiences 24-hour darkness during winter months and temperatures often dip below minus 50 degrees Celsius. These environmental conditions can be daunting for individuals who are not accustomed to such harsh climates. Moreover, logistical hurdles include transporting equipment and personnel (travel costs remain significant barriers to those living in and visiting the North) as well as managing the high costs associated with living in such an isolated area. Internet connectivity can also be unreliable— an issue that can complicate communication and learning processes.
Despite these hurdles, the demand for training in the North is strong, as reflected in high enrollment rates, and WAMTC is committed to overcoming these obstacles as it continues to provide high-quality training.
“
A WAMTC alum and his family on graduation day
Skills for Personal Development
WAMTC’s BWR program is not just about acquiring technical skills; it is also about personal growth and development. Many students arrive with little experience or knowledge in the maritime field. However, as they progress through rigorous training, they develop not only practical competencies, but also self-assurance and resilience. By the time they graduate, students emerge with confidence, professional skills, and pride in their accomplishments, opening the door to well-paying and rewarding careers.
Cindy Drover-Davidson, WAMTC’s Training Manager, emphasizes this transformative aspect: "So many come into the program shy, unsure of themselves, unconvinced that they’ll succeed. When they leave, they are confident, secure, gregarious, proud of their accomplishments, well-trained in well-paying, satisfying work. Some come from very difficult life situations but following training, their lives improve to extents they couldn’t have dreamed of." This change is crucial not just for individual students but also for their communities as they return with newfound skills and opportunities.
As WAMTC looks to the future, the organization remains hopeful that its Oceans Protection Plan funding will be renewed beyond its 2027 sunset, ensuring that more students in Canada’s North can access this life-changing program and be well-equipped as they embark on their marine career journeys. In a short period, WAMTC’s mission to support Indigenous Peoples, women, and Northerners in building careers in the marine sector is making an important difference, and the organization’s team are proud to help each student work to achieve their dreams.
By providing specialized training through WAMTC, Canada is strengthening its marine workforce in its vast Northern region, creating new employment opportunities for residents, and ensuring the sustainable development of Northern waters while addressing the increasing need for skilled and diverse personnel in the marine industry at large.
WAMTC’s BWR program is not just about acquiring technical skills; it is also about personal growth and development. Many students arrive with little experience or knowledge in the maritime field. However, as they progress through rigorous training, they develop not only practical competencies, but also self-assurance and resilience. By the time they graduate, students emerge with confidence, professional skills, and pride in their accomplishments, opening the door to well-paying and rewarding careers.
Cindy Drover-Davidson, WAMTC’s Training Manager, emphasizes this transformative aspect: "So many come into the program shy, unsure of themselves, unconvinced that they’ll succeed. When they leave, they are confident, secure, gregarious, proud of their accomplishments, well-trained in well-paying, satisfying work. Some come from very difficult life situations but following training, their lives improve to extents they couldn’t have dreamed of." This change is crucial not just for individual students but also for their communities as they return with newfound skills and opportunities.
As WAMTC looks to the future, the organization remains hopeful that its Oceans Protection Plan funding will be renewed beyond its 2027 sunset, ensuring that more students in Canada’s North can access this life-changing program and be well-equipped as they embark on their marine career journeys. In a short period, WAMTC’s mission to support Indigenous Peoples, women, and Northerners in building careers in the marine sector is making an important difference, and the organization’s team are proud to help each student work to achieve their dreams.
By providing specialized training through WAMTC, Canada is strengthening its marine workforce in its vast Northern region, creating new employment opportunities for residents, and ensuring the sustainable development of Northern waters while addressing the increasing need for skilled and diverse personnel in the marine industry at large.
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